4-star QB Tanner McKee commits to Stanford over Texas, others

The plan by Texas Longhorns head coach Tom Herman to secure a long-term answer at the quarterback position failed on National Signing Day when Corona (Calif.) Centennial star Tanner McKee committed to the Stanford Cardinal in an announcement on ESPNU.

The 6’6, 220-pound US Army All-American chose Stanford over finalists Alabama, Texas, Texas A&M, and Washington.

Ultimately, the letter of intent signed on Wednesday may not matter — McKee plans to go on a two-year LDS mission before he enrolls, so he’ll have the opportunity to go through the recruiting process once again if he chooses.

Texas offered McKee last March and hosted him for an official visit in October. However, the desire to stay close to home ended up winning out as the Cardinal emerged as the heavy favorite down the stretch.

A consensus four-star prospect, McKee is ranked as the No. 46 player nationally, the No. 3 pro-style quarterback, and the No. 7 player in California, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.

McKee broke onto the national scene after a junior season that saw him throw for 3,522 yards and 36 touchdowns while adding 539 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground.

The future at the quarterback position is currently in solid shape for the Longhorns, though, as Herman secured signatures from early enrollees Cameron Rising and Casey Thompson, both consensus four-star prospects in the 2018 recruiting class. Looking ahead, Port Neches-Groves star Roschon Johnson is already committed in the next cycle.